Ten Miami Hurricanes are heading to Indianapolis later this month for the NFL Scouting Combine, and the buzz around this group is real. From potential top-five picks to late-round sleepers with something to prove, this year’s Miami contingent offers a little bit of everything for NFL scouts to dig into.
Let’s start at the top. Defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa are the headliners here - and for good reason.
Both are widely projected to be off the board within the first 15 picks, with some mock drafts placing them as high as the top five. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has them ranked as the best players at their respective positions, and their tape backs it up.
Bain is a relentless force off the edge, the kind of player who lives in the backfield and disrupts everything. Mauigoa, meanwhile, is a mountain of a man with nimble feet - a rare blend of power and athleticism that NFL teams covet on the offensive line.
These two have the potential to anchor NFL franchises for years to come.
Right behind them is another name to watch: Akheem Mesidor. Injuries slowed him down at times, but when healthy, he’s a game-wrecker.
Kiper has him slotted as the fourth-best defensive end in the draft, and there’s a real shot he sneaks into the first round. His versatility and motor give him a high ceiling, and a strong showing in Indy could push him even higher on draft boards.
In the secondary, Keionte Scott and Jakobe Thomas are both intriguing Day 2 prospects. Scott, a transfer who made an immediate impact, is currently ranked 10th among cornerbacks by Kiper.
He’s got the size, instincts, and ball skills that teams look for in a modern outside corner. Some mocks have even floated the idea of Scott cracking the first round, though others - like Dane Brugler - see him more as a mid-third-round guy.
Thomas, on the other hand, is flying a bit more under the radar. He’s just outside the top 10 safeties in Kiper’s rankings but played a pivotal role in Miami’s run to the national title game.
Both players will have a chance to boost their stock significantly with strong combine performances.
Then there’s quarterback Carson Beck - one of the more fascinating cases in this year’s draft. Beck entered the 2024 season as a top quarterback prospect, but a season-ending injury in the SEC Championship derailed his momentum.
After transferring to Miami, he helped lead the Hurricanes to the national title game and put together a solid campaign. He’s not in the first-round conversation anymore, but he’s still very much on the radar.
Kiper ranks him sixth among quarterbacks, and he’ll have a chance to remind scouts of the arm talent and poise that once had him pegged as a future star.
Wide receiver CJ Daniels was one of Beck’s go-to guys this past season, hauling in 50 catches for 557 yards and seven touchdowns. Daniels only spent one year in Coral Gables, but he made it count.
He’s currently ranked 19th among wideouts by NFLDraftBuzz and projects as a possible fourth-round pick. He’s got reliable hands and a knack for finding soft spots in coverage - traits that could make him a valuable depth piece at the next level.
On the offensive line, Anez Cooper and Markel Bell bring size and experience. Cooper, a four-year starter, doesn’t show up in many early mocks, but that could change in a hurry if he tests well in Indy.
He’s got the kind of road-grading power that teams love in the run game. Bell, who held down the left tackle spot for Miami this season, is ranked as the No. 19 offensive lineman by NFLDraftBuzz.
His massive frame and raw tools make him an intriguing developmental prospect, with third-round potential if things break right.
All in all, this is a strong group for the Hurricanes - one that reflects both the program’s talent development and its ability to attract top-tier transfers. The combine will be a crucial stage for each of these players, whether they’re cementing first-round status or trying to climb into the draft conversation. One thing’s for sure: NFL teams will be watching Miami’s crop closely.